Translation commentary on Proverbs 24:13

“My son, eat honey, for it is good”: For “My son” see 1.8. “Honey” is a sweet sticky liquid produced by bees and stored in their nests or hives as food. See 5.3. “Eat honey” is a command, and, coming at the beginning of the saying, in some languages it will look as though eating honey is the main point or theme of the saying. However, this verse is really a picture of something desirable, and getting wisdom is compared to eating honey in the next verse. See at the end of verse 14 for further comment on translating the whole saying. “For” introduces the reason for the command. “It is good” may be rendered “it tastes good” or perhaps “is good for you” (Contemporary English Version).

“And the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste”: This line parallels the last part of the previous line and continues its thought. “The drippings of the honeycomb” is a more descriptive expression for “honey”, and “sweet to your taste” is a fuller expression of the meaning of “good”.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

complete verse (Proverbs 24:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 24:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “My child/son honey is eaten because it is sweet.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “O my son, eat honey, for it tastes so good.
    The honey in the beehive is sweet.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Child, as the honey is sweet and good for you (sing.), likewise is wisdom. For if you (sing.) are wise, you (sing.) have a good future and what your (sing.) desires for will- not -be-dismayed.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “My child, eat honey, because it has benefit and is sweet/delicious.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)